Soooooo, interpreting in a pandemic! New turf. Lots of changes! How is everybody doing??
I have been a strictly remote interpreter (only telephonic) since September of 2019. It did not prepare me for the last two months. The change in work volume from the pandemic in my case could be described as a hike through a valley. Things slowed down very quickly, like a brisk walk down one side of a valley, while providers were having to figure out the best way to move forward with patients. Things stayed slow for a bit while walking across the valley, testing the waters, and adjusting to new terrain, until boom! We reached the other side of the valley and did a full sprint up the valley wall!
Work volume was back, but in a completely new way! There were almost no requests for onsite interpreting, but requests for telephonic appointments came pouring in. As customers had more time to research and plan, video appointments were added to the mix. Testing became more readily available, which greatly increased our demand for calling patients to screen for COVID symptoms, interpreting for drive-thru test sites and delivering results. Providers were adapting, patients were adapting, and interpreters were adapting!
How hard can it be to take phone (or video) calls all day? Well it depends on what kind of mood your toddler is in that day * wink!* But in all seriousness, spending all day on the phone can be exhausting, regardless of what else is happening around you at home or at the office! I had never taken so many calls in one day. Not as an interpreter, and not ever. It was completely overwhelming.
Everyone has got very different work and home environments and countless other variables surrounding them, so I will avoid giving specific advice. I was not as graceful in my pandemic transition as I would have hoped. It has been a trial and error situation that I’ve tweaked daily, and some days go very smoothly, and others are what some would call a “hot mess”. The following are tactics that have helped me. I think.
About the pandemic:
1) I have talked about how I’m feeling. I have gone through ALL the emotions; like guilt about not doing enough as a mom, spouse or employee. I have had anxiety about my family’s health (local and international) and the health of the patients and providers I have been on the phone with. I have also felt proud of my profession and fortunate to be able to work from home at a time of so much uncertainty. If you have ever read The Color Monster you know how important it is to sort through feelings! If you don’t have someone you feel comfortable talking to, try writing it down!
2) I have read articles and listened to stories about other people working from home! It was surprising how much I was able to relate to people I’d never met, even though their jobs and lives were nothing like mine, and reassuring that other people are also learning as they go. One theme running throughout these different narratives has been, “You can’t do it all!”. I try to stay optimistic in life, but when going through a situation (individually or collectively) you have never experienced before, it helps to be realistic about expectations and limits. Take it one day at a time.
About interpreting:
1) I have taken breaks! Imagine: you are on phone call number five (in a row) for a running total of two hours. When you hang up, another call comes in immediately. If you’re feeling good and your brain is fresh, take it! If your head is throbbing and your ear is sweating, let it go. Take a minute to grab a coffee or tea. Dance it out. Run around your house or your building to reset your body/mind. Whatever you might need at that moment. Maybe it’s just staring at your desk for five minutes while your brain returns to its normal size. Be aware of what you need! You will be a better interpreter if you take some time for yourself throughout the day.
2) I have tried to take advantage of small routines. Routine could be what time or what you eat for breakfast. It could be “closing out” or documenting information after each call you take so you know it’s finished before moving on. It could be becoming familiar with how certain providers conduct their telehealth appointments, so you are more confident and comfortable while interpreting. No two days have been the same since the pandemic started, but finding small consistencies has helped me to organize my chaos!
Help yourself. Help others. Let others help you.
What are you doing that has been helpful for you personally or professionally?